Shipping Included on any order over $100.* Select “Shipping to CA” to get started!

*Offer valid on any online order over $100 (excludes taxes and discounts). Valid for shipping anywhere within California only. Not valid when shipping to any other state. Order arrives within 3-5 business days.

How To Build Your Own Bar Cart

Hosting for the holidays? You can be your own bartender at BevMo! We offer everything you need to entertain—from bottles and bitters to must-have tools. Now that’s the spirit!

You don’t need a home bar to make drinks like a mixologist. Turn your living room into a lounge with your very own customized bar cart. Start with the essentials and build from there. Preparing cocktails can be intimidating, but with a little patience and practice, you’ll be the hit of any holiday party.

Here are the essentials for any bar cart:

There are many options when it comes to spirits, and everyone has their favorite type of alcohol. It’s all about having enough resources on hand that you can make substitutions when needed. Don’t be afraid to go off script and switch out comparable ingredients.

Whiskey – Depending on what type of cocktails you prefer, it’s important to carry a wide variety of whiskies from around the world. Irish, Canadian and rye whiskies are versatile base spirits. Bourbon is sweeter and stronger, while Scotch tends to overpower most cocktails.

Vodka – An essential component of countless cocktails and fusions, vodka is a neutral grain spirit that provides a solid and flexible base for many flavors. Pairs well with an array of mixers, fruit juices and sodas. Enjoy in a classic martini, Bloody Mary or Screwdriver (among many other recipes).

Tequila – Generally speaking, if you want tequila for mixing or shooting, then it’s best to stick with Silver or Gold. The next level is Reposado Tequila, which is rested from 2-9 months—suitable for mixing or sipping. Añejo Tequila is matured for at least a year, making it smooth and ideal for drinking straight.

Rum – Whether you like it dark, light or spiced, rum is one of the sweetest and most satisfying spirits in the world. Distilled from cane sugar, rum is malleable as a mixing agent, especially in young varieties. White rum is most commonly used for cocktails for its clean, light flavors.

Gin – An acquired taste for some, gin is a time-honored spirit and a pre-requisite for many classic cocktails. The juniper flavors lend a warming botanical earthiness to cocktails like the Singapore Sling, New Orleans Fizz and Gin Martini.

The truth is that you don’t need a ton of mixers for most cocktails, and many items are interchangeable, but these are the basics for any respectable bar cart.

Angostura Bitters – The most ubiquitous brand of bitters for good reason, Angostura is made from a secret blend of over 40 tropical herbs, plant extracts and spices. Used in over three dozen drink recipes, enjoy it with vodka, whiskey and rum.

Peychaud Bitters – A common mixer created in New Orleans and enjoyed around the world—Peychaud is used in cocktails like the Sazerac, Vieux Carré and Seelbacg. Pairs well with rye whiskey, rum and tequila.

Regan’s Orange Bitters – Brewed with orange zest, cardamom, cinchona, caraway, coriander, and other botanicals—this classic style of bitters is again becoming a hot commodity. Try it in a rye old-fashioned, margarita or martini.

Fever Tree Tonic Water – Experience a blend of botanical oils with supportive citrus notes rounded by the soft bitterness of real quinine. This classic Indian tonic water is the perfect balance of sweet and tart—a sparkling addition to many cocktails.

Cointreau – An all-natural balance of 100% sweet and bitter orange peels, experience the refreshing and complex taste of this legendary liqueur. It’s featured as the base spirit in many classic French cocktails, and it’s also popular in Margaritas, Cosmos and the Sidecar.

St. Germain – The perfect balance of sweetness and dryness, enjoy the unique and distinctive flavors of elderflower with notes of pear, grapefruit and tropical fruit. A favorite among adventurous bartenders, pair St. Germain’s floral sweetness with vodka, white rum or gin.

Campari – This classic Italian bitter aperitif is an iconic ingredient in many pre-dinner cocktails like the Speranza and Ruby Negroni. Beginners should start with Aperol instead, which offers a much milder flavor.

DeKuyper Triple Sec – If you don’t have sweet & sour mix around, then you need some Triple Sec. Otherwise, you can’t make a real margarita, Cosmopolitan or many other mixed drinks. Add to taste and enjoy!

You can’t make a proper cocktail without the right barware. We have everything you need to embrace your inner-mixologist—from professional bar tools to novelty accessories.

Glassware – All you really need are some stem glasses and rocks glasses. We offer a wide variety of imported and domestic glassware made from lead-free crystal and other world-class materials. And if you’re a fan of Moscow Mules, our copper mugs are must-haves for the holidays.

Jigger – Measure your ingredients in a Franmara Double Jigger like a professional mixologist. Or you can always use a traditional measuring cup.

Shaker – You can’t make a martini without a stainless-steel shaker. Sleek and functional with an inside strainer, this classic shaker is fun and easy to use.

Bar Spoon – You may think any old spoon will do when it comes to cocktails, but that’s hardly true, especially when dealing with complex recipes. The Franmara Bar Spoon is 11 inches long and made of brushed stainless steel, featuring a twisted handle for easy spinning.

Mixologist Cocktail Set – If you want to stock up on everything at once, check out the Libbey 9-Piece Cocktail Set, featuring a 2-ounce clear shot glass, 20-ounce clear mixing glass, metal strainer, muddler, metal spoon and other essential tools.